Charting device



May 24, 1938A. A. RJACKSON CHARTING DEVICE Filed May 2, 1934 s sheeis-sheet 1 May 24, 1938. A. JACKSON CHARTING DEVICE Filed May 2, 1954 3 sheets-sheet 2 May 24, 1938.

A. R. JACKSON CHARTING DEVICE Filed May 2, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 mi w SEN. l

n ma .EN om 2 A SH n w mm www mw .EN www N www w mm w om wm .EN mw NQ 2 @m no E m m Patented May 24, 1938 I UNITED ,STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARTING DEVICE Arthur Rex Jackson, London, England, assignmto Remington Band Inc., Buffalo, N. Y.

A Application May 2, 1934, Serial No. '123,516

In Great Britain May 2, 1933 20 Claims.

arranged to provide a graphic representation ofv a certain particular kind of information on a charting area, and the diierent colors formed by the combinations of the colors of the strips relative to each other in superposed relation, as distinguished from their individual colors, representing the relationship between the kinds of information charted by each strip, these color combinations changing with changesin the relationship of the different kinds of information represented and thereby graphically illustrating correlated information in a substantially new and novel manner.

The invention provides a charting device having a frame member detachably supporting a plurality of charting strip units in adjacent relation for cooperation with indexes on the frame and the units in the display of correlated information, each unit being constructed independently of the other units in completely assembled form to support a plurality of charting strips in superposed relation with suitable means for moving the strips to desir-ed positions in charting information.

The invention provides a charting strip unit comprising a channel structure for supporting and guiding a plurality of superposed charting strips for relative movement therein to desired charting position, in combination with mechanism assembled with the channel structure operable to actuate the strips independently of one another to produce relative movement in the channel structure for setting them in the desired positions in charting information. Suitable manipulating means for operating the strip actuating means manually or otherwise is provided, so that an operator using and setting up information on the chart can conveniently and quickly r operate each of the strips in any one channel to move it relative to the others and set the strip at the desired position to register the informa.- tion desired. The indicator strips each have a different color and are substantially transparent so as to provide different color combinations in overlapping arrangement, the 'colors serving to provide an individualized indication that may be readily recognized in conjunction with the information graphically indicated bythe association of the series of strips with each other and the indicating means on the frame.

The invention comprehends other features in connection with the construction and assembly of the frame, the strips and the operating mech- `anism for the strips that are pointed out in the following description and claims.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a charting device constructed according to the invention showing portions broken away and in section for convenience in illustration.

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

'. 3 is a 2. 4 is a 2. 5 is a cross section taken on line 3-3 cross section taken on line 4-4 cross section taken on line 5-5 6 is a cross section taken on line --B .2.' 7 is of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the main channel with portions broken away.

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the operating channel with portions broken away.

Fig. 10 is a plan View of the blank piece of sheet materialcut out and ready for folding to form one of the feed drum housings.

Fig. 1l shows a signal in perspective.

Fig. 12 is a vertical longitudinal cross section similar to Fig. 2 with portions broken away and showing a modified form of operating mechanism for moving'the charting strips in the channel.

Fig. 13 is a cross section' taken on line l3|3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a cross section taken on line M-Il oi' Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a cross section taken on line I5-l5 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a cross section taken on line IB-IB of Fig. 12.

Fig. i7 is an elevation of one of the spacing plates. v

Fig. 18 shows the jockey roller assembly in perspective.

The charting device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 11 comprises a main supporting frame formed of a plurality of marginal frame members l of channel shape that have the flanges of the channels directed inwardly on both the sides and the endsl and suitably welded or otherwise secured together in assembled' relation with the upper and lower flanges lying in the same plane. These marginal members I at the sides of the supporting frame are connected by similar channel-shape members 2 arranged in parallel relation as clearly shown in Fig. 1 and having' the ends spot-welded or otherwise suitably secured to the opposite marginal members of the frame.

-Marginal casing members 3 formed of sheet metal plates are secured to the outer faces of a cross section taken on line '1 -i marginal frame members I at the upper and lower sides oi the frame as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and have laterally extending flanges I on the upper edges for cooperation with the upper flanges of channel members I oi the frame to provide grooves or channels along the upper face of the supporting frame. Casing members l are secured to opposite ends of the frame and are formed of sheet metal in a manner similar to members 3 having lateral inwardly extending flanges 3 on the upper edges cooperating with the upper face of the supporting frame around the marginal members I to provide retaining grooves or channels. 'Ihe members 5 are detachably secured to the supporting frame by means oi suitable screw connections 1 to provide for the convenient assembly oi the parts oi' the charting device.

The lower edges of casing members B are provided with laterally extending ilanges 3 providing supporting feet formed with key-hole slots 3 for receiving suitable securing means to attach the charting device to a wall or other suitable support in either vertical or horizontal position. 'I'he right-hand end of the device as shown in Fig. l may also be disposed at the top if it is desired to have the charting strips in vertical position.

Index holders III formed of sheet metal strips having a channel shape in cross section with inturned anges on the upper edges as clearly shown in Fig. 3 are mounted on opposite sides of the supporting frame and attached to the upper ilanges of marginal members I with their edges abutting the free edges of flanges 4 as shown in Fig. 3. 'I'hese index holders removably receive stationary index strips I I that are removable through slots I2 in the upper edge flanges oi the holders as clearly shown in Fig. l. One or more strips can be arranged in each index holder in end-to-end relation, if desired, or all oi' the index material may be placed on a single strip. These stationary index strips in holders I Il cooperate to index the information graphically represented by the charting strips.

The above described structure forms the main supporting frame.

The supporting frame mounts a plurality of charting units, four being illustrated in Fig. l, one at the lower portion of the frame and the other three in adjacent edge-to-edge relation in the upper portion of the frame. 'I'hese charting units are retained on the frame by means of ilanges 6 on members 5 when they are in assembled relation as shown in Figs. l and 2.

A description of the construction and assembly of one of these charting units will be sutilcient to illustrate the details of construction and method of operation of each oi the units.

Each charting unit has a main channel I3 and an operating channel Il. Main channel I3 is formed of sheet metal and has one edge, the lower edge as viewed in Fig. 1, provided with a lateral upwardly extending nange I5 that is folded inwardly and doubled upon itself. The opposite edge of main channel I3 is formed with an upwardly extending flange I8 formed with an inturned lip I1. Operating channel I4 is formed of a strip of sheet metal having a base portion I3 and side anges I3 provided with inturned lips 2l. Base section I3 oi' operating channel Il is of less width than the corresponding portion of main channel I3, and operating channel Il is seated .in main channel I3 in the manner disclosed in Figs. 3 to 6, with one of the flanges anaevs I! engaged against flange Il of main channel I3.y This leaves a space between the other ilange I3 ot operating channel Il and flange I3 of main channel I3, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 to 6.

These two channels are suitably secured together by spot-welding or the like so that they are permanently attached in assembled relation. The ends of channels I3 and I4 terminate in coincident relation and these channels have a length so as to extend over the top of the supporting frame and terminate with the ends overlying marginal members I at opposite ends of the supporting frame adjacent the outer edges thereof and engage in the grooves or channels provided by flanges 3 over this supporting frame.

When casing members l are attached to the supporting frame it will thus be seen that flanges B serve to definitely retain these channel members attached to the frame. Additional attaching means are provided by lugs 2I formed by striking out portions of the bottom section of main channel I3 and bending them outwardly in a direction opposite to flanges I5 and I8 with the ends extending in spaced parallel relation to the bottom section of the channel. These lugs formed in this manner as clearly shown 4in Fig. 2 are so positioned that they will engage the flanges of channel members 2 of the supporting trame and cooperate in retaining the charting unit in assembled position on the frame.

'I'he major portion of these channel members is used for the charting of information as clearly shown in Fig. 1, the charting portion beginning with the point of origin 'of the scale on strip II indicated at 22 for example, Fig. l, and the vertically aligned points of origin of the stationary indicator strips 23 are positioned in operating channels I l as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 7. These indicator strips are provided with suitable graduations as shown in Fig. l to register and index the positions of the charting strips relative to the points of origin above mentioned. Operating channels I4 are provided with notches 24 in flanges I8 located adjacent index position 22 as shown in Fig. 1, and these notches provide means through which strips 23 may be inserted if desired, although strips 23 can be inserted from the ends of operating channel I 4 when a charting unit is removed from the frame. These notches also provide for the insertion of a title strip 25 in the end portion of each operating strip I4 which is shown at the left-hand side of Fig. 1 as located beyond the charting area for the unit and arranged to contain an identification slip indicating the nature of the information charted by the unit in conjunction with index strip II.

Operating channels or guides I4 receive a plurality of transparent charting strips for slidable mounting therein in superposed relation, the drawings illustrating three strips which may preferably comprise an upper pink charting strip 28, an intermediate blue charting strip 21, and a lower yellow charting strip 23. These strips may also be referred to as lineally movable members. These strips are each relatively slidable in operating channel Il so that they may be each independently set over any graduation on the scale provided on strip 23 or in alignment with any index on index strip II for illustrating information of a desired character. A transparent cover strip, not shown, may be inserted in the operating channel over the charting strips, if desired, to protect the charting strips, exclude dirt and prevent tampering with the strips.

A suitable actuating mechanism is provided for moving each strip in the operating channel and for this purpose-main channel I3 at the lefthand end as shown in Fig. 8, is provided with three openings 29, 30 and 3| respectively, spaced longitudinally and formed by punching out portions of the base section of main channel I3 at the same time forming the punched-out portions into guide lips 32 extending downwardly and toward the left-hand end of the device as shown in Fig. 2.

Operating channel I4 is formed with openings 33, 34 and 3,5 having portions of the base section I8 punched out in the formation of these openings to provide guide lips 36.

Openings 33, 34 and 35 register with openings 29, 30 and 3| respectively, and guide lips 36 are in spaced relation to guide lips 32 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2 so'that charting strips 26, 21 and 28 pass through the registering openings in the operating and base channels, charting strip 26 passing through registering openings 29 and 33, charting strip 21 passing through registering openings 33 and 34, and charting strip 28 passing through registering openings 3| and 35 respectively. i

Main channel I3 mounts three drum housings 31. Each drum` housing is formed from a single piece of sheet material and comprises side members 38 having a connecting wall 39. An extension 49 is provided on one end of connecting wall 39 and has the free end portion formed to provide a laterally extending foot 4I formed with-a slot 42 to receive a securingv tongue 43 struck out from the base section of main channel I3. 'Ihere are three of the supporting tongues 43 formed on main channel I3, each one to engage one of the corresponding foot portions 4| of each of the three drum housings 31.

One of the side wallv portions 38 of the drurnl housing is provided with a plate portion 44 formed integral therewith having an extension formed to provide a laterally projecting foot 45 and a slot 46 to receive one of the securing tongues 41 struck out of base channel I3. Each of the tongues `43 and 41 is turned over as shown in Fig. 2 to rigidly secure the drum housing to main channel I3.

Drum housing 31 is provided with openings 48 in the side walls in aligned relation to receive bearing spindle 49 rotatably supporting a winding drum 50 adapted to have one of the charting stripswound thereon.

Each drum 50 comprises a disc 5I formed with gear teeth on the periphery, a drum cylinder 52 having tongues formed on opposite ends thereof at spaced intervals, the tongues on one end being adapted to extend through slots in disc I to rigidly mount drum cylinder 52 on disc 5I. The ends of the tongues are turned over in rigidly securing drum cylinder 52 to disc 5I as indicated at 53 in Fig. 4. A disc 55 is formed with slots to receive the tongues on the opposite ends of drum cylinder 52 and the ends are turned over to rigidly secure disc 55 to drum cylinder l2, this being illustrated at 56 in Fig. 4. Discs 5I and 55 are formed with bearing openings receiving bearing spindle 49 so that winding drum 50 is rotatably mounted in the drum housing. Drum cylinder 52 is formed with a slot to receive one end of a charting strip as indicated at 5.1 in Fig. 2 in order that a charting strip may be rmly connected to the winding drum for winding the strip thereon in the manner shown in Fig. 2.

Each of the charting strips 26', 21 and 28 extends between guide lips 32 and 33 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2 to the underside of main channel I3, at spaced intervals as shown. 'I'he portions extending below main channel I3 are arranged to extend diagonally from main channel I3 to the respective winding drums 50 whereon they are wound in the manner illustrated in v 59 receiving a spindle 59, Fig. 4, rotatably mounting feed roll B0.

Feed roll 69 comprises a drive disc 6I rotatably engaged on spindle 59 and having gear teeth on its periphery intermeshed with the gear teeth on disc 5I. "A piece of sheet metal is formed to provide a`\cylindrical feed drum 62 having one end secured to drive disc 6I and the opposite end formed to provide a disc having a central opening provided With a bearing portion rotatably engaging spindle 59 as indicated at 63 in Fig. 4. The periphery of feed drum 62 engages the upper surface of the charting strip in its `drum housing and the peripheral portion of feed disc 6I is ar-V ranged -to extend upwardly through slot 64 in main channel I3 in the space between the edge of the operating channel and flange I6, the periphery extending above ange I1, in the manner shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. Each disc 5I may be manually engaged at the peripheral portion extending above mainchannel i3 for manual rotation to rotate feed roll 63 in either direction and either wind one of the charting strips on the corresponding Winding drum 5I) or unwind the strip from winding drum 50 and extend it into operating channel I4. In order to insure movement of the charting strip in either the winding or unwinding operation so as to slidably move the free end in operating channel I4, a jockey roller 65 engages the underside of the charting strip at the point where it engages feed drum 62, jockey roller 65 being tangential to feed drum 62 and rotatably mounted in a wire supporting frame 69 constructed as 'shown in Figs. 2 and 5.

Wire supporting frame 66 is formed from a single length of wire having the central portion B1 secured to connecting wall 39 -oi" drum housing 31 at the end opposite extension 43, by means of a bent-over retaining tongue 68. The central portion 61 of the wire is provided at the ends with lateral extensions 69 extending along side walls and in this manner will resiliently hold a chart-l ing strip rmly engaged with the feed drum.

Side walls 33 of drum housing 31 are secured together on the sides opposite those connected by wall portion 39 through plate extension 44 having tongue 14 engaged through slot 15 formed in an extension on the opposite wall 38 and bent over against said opposite wall 38 adjacent slot 15 to rigidly assemble the Walls in spaced parallel relation. This securing of the side walls in spaced relation is also obtained through the swaging of the ends of bearing spindles 46 and Il on the outside of the housing as shown in Fig. 4..

In this way the drum housing mounts the operating mechanism for moving a charting strip and when three of these drum housings are assembled, as above described, in spaced relation along the length of main channel I3 as illustrated in Fig. 2, each of the charting strips 26, 21 and 28 is provided with an individual actuating unit having the periphery of drive disc 6| of the respective unit projecting through one of the slots 64 and arranged in spaced relation for manual operation in a manner that can be clearly ascertained from Fig. 1. Title strip 26 in the operating channel may be provided with a suitable section 16, Fig. 1, to designate-the particular charting strip actuated by the adjacent periphery of drive disc 6|.

A suitable housing l1 is removably secured on the bottom of the supporting frame as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 in which one end is seated on foot portion 18 of casing member 6 while the opposite end is bolted to one of the cross members 2 of the supporting frame. This casing is constructed as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, to completely enclose all of the drum housings on the several assembled charting units mounted in the frame for the purpose of excluding dust and preventing access to the mechanism for feeding the lineally movable members or charting strips.

A signal 19, shown in Fig. 11, is formed of a strip of material folded upon itself to provide leg portions 80 and 6i. Leg portion 6I is formed with offset portion 62 intermediate its ends and laterally extending lip 63 on the free end. Leg 80 is provided with laterally extending lip 64 on its free end and intermediate the end is provided with signal plate 85 extending laterally outward from the leg.

Legs and 8| are normally resiliently projected by the resiliency of the strip material into the position shown in Fig. 11, and may be moved toward each other to draw the ends into contact so that lips 83 and 64 may be inserted in the space between the edge of flange I1 and the adjacent edge of operating channel I4 so the ends of the signal may be inserted into main channel i3 in the manner shown in Fig. '7. When the signal is inserted into main channel I3 and the legs are released, they will spring apart due to the resiliency of the strip material for engaging lip 83 under flange I1 and lip 84 under the curved bottom edge portion of operating channel il where it joins flange i9. 'I'his position of the parts is shown in Fig.l '7 and the signal will be retained in position in main channel Il in the manner disclosed with signal projection 86 extending over operating channel Il in-the manner clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 7. This signal may be slidably moved along main channel i3 and can be set to indicate certain limits to be placed on information recorded by any one of the charting strips in the unit aocording to the system of charting and information that the charting device is used to display.

Figs. 12 to 18 inclusive disclose a slightly different structure for mounting and operating the charting strip. A unit construction is provided for each group of charting strips, three being used in this instance, each unit being a completely assembled operative structure. The deanders scription of one unit will therefore be sumcient to illustrate the construction of all of the units in a frame assembled in the same manner as the units shown in Fig. 1 but in a slightly different form of frame construction adapted for the particular type of unit.

A main channel Il is provided with lateral ange Il on one side and lateral flange I2 on the other side terminating in inturned lip I8. An operating channel Il is formed with a base section having lateral flanges on the side edges terminating in inturned lips in parallel spaced relation to the base for the purposeA of slidably mounting three charting strips ll, 66 and 61 and lrdiclator strip Il similar to strip 22 shown in Operating channel Il is secured by spot welding or the like in main channel 80 with one of the flanges engaged with flange 9|, the parts being in the relation shown in Fig. 16 for example. As orkrating channel Il is of less width than main channel Il a space is left on the side oi' operating channel 04 adjacent to flange l2 in the same manner as in the design shown in Fig. 1 for the purpose of slidably mounting a signal. Main channel III terminates on one side of the charting device at the end of the housing structure for the operating mechanism, while operating channel 64 extends entirely through and forms part of the housing structure. Two channel structures formed of assembled main and operating channels are used in the structure shown in Fig. 12, one at the top and one at the bottom of each charting unit as clearly shown in the drawings. These channel members are mounted in spaced parallel relation with their channels facing outwardly in opposite directions, and at spaced intervals throughout their length they are secured together by brackets 66 formed of sheet metal strips having lateral side flanges, and lateral end flanges formed with slots to receive tongues |00 struck out of the bottom of operating channels 64 as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 and bent over after engagement through slots I` on said end 'flanges of brackets 88.

'I'he charting strips have suitable operating mechanism in the form shown in Figs. 12 and 13 for example, occupying approximately the same proportionate part of the structure as in the form shown in Fig. 1, which is located at the left-hand side of thel device and is of a size approximately the same in proportion as the operating device for the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It will therefore be clearly understood how the assembled device will appear when using the construction shown in Figs. 12 to 18, if this construction is considered in connection with the showing in Fig. l, in view of which it has been deemed unnecessary to make a view similar to Fig. 1 in connection with the construction shown in Fig. 12.

The operating mechanism for lineally moving charting strips 96, Il and 01 includes three feeding mechanisms for independently feeding or sliding each strip along the channels independently of the other,4and the description of one of these structures will sufiice to describe all three, the same numerals being used for corresponding parts in each of the three devices.

A main feed roll Ill is-located between the pair of channels as clearly shown in Fig. l2 and on opposite sides of each feed roll the base portions of operating channels 64 are formed with openings |02 for the passage of the charting strips, the material of the operating channel being bent inwardly toward the feed roll and formed to provide a guide lip |03 at one side of the opening. In this way charting strips 95. 96 and 91 are extended through these openings |02 and around the peripheries of feed rolls |0|, through the openings |02 of the opposite operating channel and into the channel so that in the operation of the feed roll the strip is fed from one channel to the other, and vice versa.

Feed roll is journalled on a hollow tubular spindle |04, see Fig. 13, having'one end engaged over an inturned tubular stud formed on side plate |06 and the opposite end rigidly secured in side plate |01 by swaging or otherwise forming tube |04 to rigidly engage side plate |01 around the marginal portion of the plate adjacent the opening receiving tube |04 as indicated at |08. This structure provides for the convenient assembly of feed roll |01 on tubular spindle |04 and its assembly in housed relation between side plates |06 and |01 as well as providing for the proper spacing of the side plates to provide for free rotation of feed roll |0| on the spindle. Feed roll |0| is provided on one end with an annular flange |09 having a diameter greater than the distance between the pair of channels so that the periphery extends beyond the channels to provide a peripheral portion arranged for manual engagement above the top channel so the feed roll may be rotated on its spindle. The flange |09 may be referred to for the purpose of claims as a drive disc. Side plate |06 is provided with lateral anges ||0 on the upper and lower side edges having portions cut-out as indicated at where the peripheries of annular flanges |09 of feed rolls |0| extend past operating channels 94. It will beclear from Figs. 13 and 14, for example, that annular ilange |09 is located at one side of operating channels 94.

Side plates |06 and |01 are each provided with pairs of inwardly offset bosses ||2 at spaced intervals adjacent the upper and lower edges arranged at opposite sides of feed rolls |0|. These bosses are formed with slots, and spacing plates ||3 are provided with pairs of tongues ||4 on each side at the upper and lower end portions extending through the slots in bosses ||2. These tongues have their outer ends bent over on the outside'of plates |06 and |01 as shown in Fig. 13, four of such plates being shown, for rigidly securing side plates |06 and |01 in assembled spaced parallel relation with the entire feeding mechanism assembled therebetween for free operation.

Spacing and partition plates ||3 are formed at the upper and lower ends, in line with tongues ||4, with offset portions ||5 as shown in Fig. 12 to provide a rigid plate structure, these offset portions having struck-out tongues ||6. The upper and lower ends of the spacing plates at one side as shown in Fig. 17 are provided with projections ||1 that engage the outer side of the flange on one side of operating channel 94 and serve to space the channel from side plate |06 as shown in Figs. 14 and 15. Flange ||0 on side plate |06 seats on top of projections ||1 as shown in Fig. 14 and the inner edges of flanges ||0 engage over the inturned edges on the adjacent side flanges of operating channels 94 at both the top and bottom of the structure as shown in Figs. 14 and 15.

Side plate |01 is provided with short laterally extending marginal flanges ||8 at the upper and lower edges that engage over the inturned lips on the corresponding sides of operating channels 94 as shown in Fig. 14, and in cooperation with spacing plates ||3 with projections ||1 and side plate |06, cooperates with the two operating channels 94 of each unit to rigidly mount these channels between the side plates in the proper position for supporting and guiding the charting strips over the feed rolls |0| and to provide a complete housing for the feeding mechanism for the charting strips.

At opposite ends of this housing structure for the feed rolls, operating channels 94 are provided vth tongues struck out of the base portion thereof and directed inwardly as indicated at ||9 and |20 to engage the outer sides of the end spacing and partition plates ||3 for preventing endwise movement of channels 94 relative to side plates |06 and |01. The ends of main channels 90 abut the ends of side plates |06 and |01 as shown in Fig. 13.

A pair of jockey rollers I2| are provided for holding each charting strip in Vengagement, with its feed roll |01 as clearly shown in Fig. 12. These jockey rollers are mounted in a roller frame |22, Fig. 18, formed of a piece of sheet material vto provide a pair of side members |23 and a connecting portion |24 joining the central portions of the side members at one edge.

Jockey rollers |2| are mounted between the free ends of side members |23 on pintles |25 secured in the ends of side members |23. The free ends of side members |23 are rounded as indicated at |26 and extend beyond the peripheries of rollers |2| so that when roller frame |22 is enwill lie adjacent to the inner faces of the base.

portions of operating channels 94 and by engagement with said base portions through only slight movement in either direction toward one of said base portions the frame member will be held in position therebetween while jockey rollers |2| engage the opposite faces of the charting strips from the faces engaged with feed rolls |0|.

Frame |22 and jockey rollers |2| are projected toward feed roll |0| by means of a leaf spring |21 having a central rib portion |28 projecting between side portions |23 and engaging connecting portion |24 of the roller frame intermediate rollers |2| as clearly shown in Fig. 12. 'I'he opposite ends of leaf spring |21 are seated on offset portions ||5 and held in position adjacent side plate |01 by means of projections ||6 on the oifset portions of spacing plates ||3. In this way the jockey roller assembly formed by frame |22 with its jockey rollers |2| is held in operative position and normally projected toward feed roll |0| so as to retain the charting strip engaged over feed roll |0| in firm contact with the feed roll so that it will move the strip in operating channels 94 upon manual rotation of feed roll |0| through manual manipulation of the feed roll by engaging the periphery of annular flange The charting strips may then be engaged around the peripheries of the feed rolls by placing the channel members at opposite side edges of side plate |01 while it is still lying on the table. It is then only necessary to place side plate in position with the tongues ||4 engaged through the slots in bosses ||2. These tongues may then be bent over and the entire structure is rigidly assembled in operative relation to form a single charting unit. The spacing members 99 can be subsequently placed in position and tongues |00 bent over to rigidly secure the ends oi' the pair of channel members of the unit where they extend beyond the operating structure for the charting strips. This will provide a complete charting unit with one set of strips.

A series o! these charting units as shown in Fig. 12 and constructed and assembled as above described are then arranged in adjacent relation in the manner shown in Fig. 1 and mounted in a frame structure similar to the frame shown in Fig. 1, but changed to some extent to accommodate the ditierence in the structure of the charting unit.

This frame structure as shown in Fig. 12, for example, includes marginal members |29 formed of sheet metal plates having lateral iianges |30 at the upper edges to engage over the ends of the charting units for retaining them in the frame. Marginal plates |29 are provided at the lower edges with outwardly bent portions |3| n having folded portions |32 bent upon parts |3| to provide a base ange similar to flange 9 on marginal member 5 as shown in Fig. 2. This base flange may be provided in a suitable manner with openings or key-hole slots so the charting device may be secured to a suitable support. Angle member |33 is secured to the'inside face o! marginal member |29 adjacent flange |32 and serves to engage the lower ends of each charting unit for cooperation with flange |30 to provide a channel on the marginal member opening inwardly to slidably receive the ends of the charting units and rigidly retain them in assembled relation in the frame. All four side frame members are constructed in the same manner as marginal member |29 and assembled at the corners in a convenient way to provide the rectangular frame structure similar to that shown in Fig. 1, suitable means being provided to detachably mount one of these marginal frame members to the remainder of the frame to provide for the convenient removal and insertion o! charting units in the frame.

A cover plate |34 is detachably mounted in the bottom of the frame to enclose the pro- Jecting peripheries of annular anges |09 of feed rolls III to prevent access thereto. As shown at the right end in Fig. 12 cover plate |34 is formed with an upwardly and inwardly extending portion while the lett end is engaged between folded portion |32 and angle member |33.

A top cover frame |35 is hinged to marginal trame member |29 as indicated at |36 and provided with a glass panel |31 for exposing the index strips in operating channels 94. This top cover frame |35 covers the peripheries of annular nangeslll on feed rolls |0l asshown in Fig. 12 to prevent access thereto and the frame may be provided with a suitable lock construction. not shown. for locking it to marginal frame members |29 so as to prevent access to the perlpheries of annular flanges |09 and operation of the charting device by unauthorized persons. Any other suitable cover for the charting device that may be locked on the frame or otherwise enclose the charting strips and operating mechanism therefor may be provided.

It will be seen that charting strips 95, 96 and 91 may be independently operated to slide the ends of the strips in operating channels 94 by engaging the periphery of annular flange |09 of feedy roll |0| for feeding the desired strip and by rotation of feed roll Inl for the strip that it is desired to move. the feed roll will move the strip engaged therewith from one channel to the other relative to the other two strips and provide for the desired positioning of the charting strips in the operating'channels.

It will be understood that ln the construction of the device as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the portions of the operating channels adjacent the feed rolls and covered by the top cover frame |35 will receive index slips similar to the slips 25 and that marginal frame members |29 will support index holders similar to those indicated at I0 in Fig. 1 and index strips similar to those in Fig. 1 for cooperation with charting strips 95, 96 and 91 in charting correlated information. Signals 19 as shown in Fig. 11 may also be used between operating channels 94 and main channels 90 in the same manner previously described in connection with the construction shown in Fig. 1.

As shown by the drawings, each of the operating channels has three strips, each one of a diiferent color than the other two, the strip adjacent the bottom of the channel for example, being yellow which would be either strip 28 or 91. The intermediate strip 21 or 96 may preferably be blue, and the upper strip 25 or 95 may preferably be pink, these strips being formed of substantially transparent celluloid or other similar material to display the indicator strip 23 so that it may be seen through the superposed charting strips.

The three strips may be set with the ends terminating in three different positions in conjunction with a desired record of information to be displayed by any one set of strips, the setting being made according to index strip II, such as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The individual colors of the strip where they are superposed over another strip will not be apparent, but the color observed will be that of the combined colors oi each of the superposed chart'- ing strips so that the colors indicated by the cross hatching in Fig. 1 represent the combined colors displayed where the strips are superposed. 'I'he disclosure in Fig. 1 is inaccurate in representing the color seen when all three strips are superimposed because there is no form of cross hatching for the particular Icolor, which is nearer to brown but is labeled neutral in the drawings.

When the lower of the three strips projects beyond the other two, its color will be exhibited as shown in Fig. 1 as yellow, while the intermediate strip projecting over the yellow strip in the manner shown in Fig. 1 will show a green color as designated by the word cross hatching. The end of the blue strip will terminate the section showing the green color and from the end of the pink strip a neutral color of the three will be exhibited regardless of the position of the strips wherever the three strips are in superposed relation.

When the blue strip is extended beyond the yellow strip its blue color will, oi' course, be observed beyond the end of the yellow strip, and where the blue strip is over the yellow strip, it will exhibit a green color. When the pink strip is extended beyond the yellow strip but the blue strip extends beyond the pink strip, a color will be displayed which is referred to and called mauve.

It will be seen from these different combinations of colors that a plurality of different color combinations are obtained by these three overlapping strips according to their relative position in which the three strips may be set to indicate three different kinds of information related to each other andthe two colors occurring between the ends of the three strips by the superposing oi two strips one over the other and the natural color of the one strip will provide a signalling indication of a plurality of different facts in regard to the information charted by the three charting strips.

For example, a.threecolor charting device of the character described herein can be used for sales control by areas, products and salesmen or periods. The pink signal may be used to indicate past performance, the blue signal current performance and the yellow signal to indicate a desired quota, each of which is set to represent the particular item. When these signals are set in this manner for sales control they will provide any one of the color combinations above described that may be used to give the indications set forth inthe following table:

These various readings from this chart would indicate that the action to be taken for example, for any one of the readings would be as listed opposite the corresponding letters of the alphabet given in the above table and quoted in the action table as follovs:

A. Bring pressure to increase sales.

B. Satisfactory progress, take action depending on the exposure of yellow, if large exposure query quota too high,

C. Very good progress.` D. Excellent progress.

low. 4

E. Good showing. Past period possibly exceptional.

F. Bad position depending on the relative exposure of color. Past has demonstrated quota as reasonable but current fails to reach quota.

D. Blue- Mauve- E. Pink- Mauve- F. Pink-Orange- Query quota now too This is only one example of the many variations of control of either sales, stock, production or numerous other business activities that may be obtained from the use of the charting device herein disclosed and this example is given for the purpose of illustration only.

The number of charting units placed in any one frame will be varied according to the' kinds of infomation to be charted on the device as well as the number of items to be charted and the index strips, signals and labels will be provided for the particular type of result desired.

The main and operating channel assemblies of both forms of the invention shown herein provide in conjunction with the supporting frame a support for the charting strips and a charting area on the device with which the charting strips cooperate, dened by the index strip I I in one direction, and in the other direction by the number of charting units indexed by the slips 25 at right angles to strip Il so that the portions of the charting strips which form lineally movable mem-l bers inthe charting area will cooperate with these indices in registering correlated information. These charting strips or lineally movable members are so arranged that they are independently operable relative to each other through the operation of feed rolls in either form shown for moving a greater portion of the strip into exposed position in the charting area or for retracting the strip by lineal movement so as to conceal the same below the operating channels. Each of the feed rolls, and the associated jockey rolls and supporting housings for these rolls are arranged so that the assembly of the housing members not only supports the rolls in operative position but the assembly with the'channel member retains the parts in assembled relation to form a charting unit. The feed means for'moving any of the strips is independent of the means for feeding the other strips and in aligned relation when assembled with a channel structure to form a charting unit.

What is claimed is: I

1. A charting device comprising a guide, a strip of flexible material having one end portion slidably engaged in said guide for lineal movement and the opposite end disengaged from and extending laterally to one side of said guide, means engaging the strip at a single position and manually operable to move the strip relative thereto and lineally back and forth in the guide whereby 'an increased or decreased length of said strip may be engaged in the guide to cooperate therewith for producing an indication, and means for supporting said guide and the disengaged portion of said strip so the strip will be guided smoothly into and out of said guide.

2. A charting device Icomprising a guide, a plurality of different colored strips of transparent material having one end portion of each' slidably engaged in said guide, said end portions being arranged in said guide in superimposed relation, and a feeding mechanism gripping each strip independently at a single position and manually operable to move each strip lineally in the guide independent of the others.

3. A charting device comprising a guide having an indicating means therein with a point of origin at one end, a strip having one end portion slidable lineally in said guide, means formed on the guide adjacent the point of origin for disengaging the remaining portion from the guide beyond said `indicating means, feeding means fixed in position relative to the guide and gripping said strip at a position adjacent said last-named means and the point of origin, and manually operable to lineally move said strip back and forth into and out of said guide to increase and decrease the length of the strip in said guide for charting cooperation With said indicating means.

4. A charting device comprising a guide, a strip having one end portion slidable lineally in said guide and visible from one side thereof, and the remaining portion extending laterally through and into a position in back of said guide and concealed from view from said side, and feeding means mounted on the back of said guide having operable parts gripping said strip, manually operable means projecting to the first-mentioned side of said guide for operating said parts to move the strip back and forth into and out of said guide to display a large or smaller portion of said strip in said guide for charting cooperation therewith, and means supporting said guide having parts for receiving and supporting the portion of said strip behind said guide.

5. A charting device comprising a guide, a plurality of transparent strips oi' different color mounted one behind another with one end portion of each slidable in the guide and the remaining portions of said strips extending behind the guide, an independent feeding device for each strip mounted on the guide, each feeding device having means gripping one of said strips at one position relative to the guide and manually operable to move the strip back and forth into and out of the guide independently of the other strips for charting cooperation therewith.

6. A charting device comprising a supporting frame, a plurality of charting units detachably mounted on said supporting frame in adjacent relation, index means on said supporting frame and said units, a plurality of superposed lineally movable members in each unit mounted for movement relative to one another and said supporting frame and unit to vary their overlapping relation with each other for charting cooperation with said index means, and operating means'in each unit for each of said members for lineally moving each member relative to the rest, the unit and the support.

'7. A charting device comprising a supporting frame, marginal members mounted on said supporting frame formed for cooperation therewith to provide channels on the opposite sides of said supporting frame, a plurality of elongated charting units having opposite ends engaged in said channels in detachable relation, each charting unit having a plurality of lineally movable strip members mounted therein for movement relative to each other, the unit and the supporting frame for charting cooperation, and a plurality of independent strip feeding and supporting members, one for each strip member mounted in each unit and manually operable for lineally moving its strip member relative to the rest in said unit.

8. In a charting device, a charting unit comprising a channel structure, a plurality of lineally movable members slidable in said channel structure relative to each other for charting co- .operation with each other and said channel structure, a plurality of housing members detachably mounted on said channel structure in aligned relation 'adjacent one end, a plurality of rolls mounted in each housing structure, one of said movable members extending into one of said housing structures and engaged with the rolls therein, said rolls cooperating to lineally move said members in said unit.

9. In a charting device, a charting unit comprising a channel structure, a plurality of superposed charting strips slidably mounted in said channel structure and relatively movable to each other for charting cooperation with each other in said channel structure, a plurality of spaced aligned housings mounted on said channel structure, feed rolls in each of said housings, a drive disc on one of the feed rolls in each housing having a peripheral portion projecting beyond said channel structure, to provide for manual operation of said feed rolls by means of said disc,

u andmeanscoactingwithnidfeedrollsengaging said charting strips, each of said strips being engaged with the feed rolls in one of said housings, said feed rolls in each housing being operable independent of those in another housing for individually moving the charting strip engaged thereby lineally in said channel structure.

10. A charting device, comprising a guide having side flanges, a strip of flexible material having an end portion slidable in said guide and the other end portion disengaged therefrom, extending between said side anges and being guided thereby for lineal movement in said guide for displaying varying lengths of said end of said strip, index means in said guide having charting cooperation with said strip, and actuating means at one end of said guide engaging a portion of said strip disengaged from said guide and operable to feed said strip through said actuating means to lineally move said strip and vary the length of the end portion disposed in said guide, the portion of said strip not engaged in said guide being concealed from view.

11. A charting device, comprising a channelshaped guide, a stationary scale strip mounted in said guide, a flexible charting strip having one end slidable in said guide with the side margins engaged with and retained by the side portions of said channel-shaped guide for lineal sliding movement over said stationary scale, a strip feed device mounted on one end of said guide having parts engaging said charting strip at one position adjacent the last-named end of said guide, and means for manually operating said strip engaging parts of said feed device to move said strip through said feed device past said parts in either direction for changing the length of the end portion of said charting strip in said guide, said stationary scale indicating said change and the portion of said charting strip beyond said guide being concealed from view.

12. A charting device, comprising an elongated strip formed with return-bent side edges forming a guide channel, a stationary scale in said guide channel, a flexible charting strip having one end engaged in said guide channel for lineal sliding movement over said scale and the side margins engaged under said return-bent side edges on said channel, said' channel having a slot formed adjacent one end and having said charting strip extending therethrough to the rear of said channel, a frame member carried by said channel and extending to the rear thereof at the end formed with said slot, feed rollers mounted in said frame engaging opposite faces of said charting strip, and actuating means for said feed rollers for feeding said charting strip past said rollers in either direction to increase or decrease the length of the portion of said strip in said channel, the remaining portion of said strip being concealed in the rear of said channel.

13. A charting device, comprising a narrow elongated strip formed to provide upwardly and inwardly directed flanges along the side edges to form a channel, a flexible charting strip having one end portion extending into said channel at one end for lineal sliding movement lengthwise thereof and being retained in said channel by having the side edges of said charting strip engaging under said inwardly directed flanges, a housing member mounted in the rear of said channel on one end, said charting strip extending into said housing member from said channel, strip reeling means on said housing member carrying the opposite end of said charting strip, and manually operable strip feed means in said houschannel guide, a flexible charting strip having one end portion extending longitudinally in said l guidewith the side margins slidably engaged in the channel portions thereof, said charting strip being longitudinally slidable in said channel and having the opposite end projecting to the rear of said guide at one end thereof, a housing member mounted on the rear of said channel at one end,

storage means for said opposite end of said charting strip secured to said housing, and strip feed means in the housing gripping said charting strip therein between said storage means and said guide for feeding said strip through said feed means in the operation thereof for increasing or decreasing the length of the end portion of said charting strip displayed in said guide.

15. A charting device, comprising an elongated guide having side channels, a flexible charting strip having one end portion extending longitudinally in said guide with the side edges engaged in said side channels for retaining said strip in said guide for lineal sliding movement, the opposite end of said charting strip being disengaged from the guide at one end thereof, a housing mounted at the last-named end of the guide, a drum rotatable in said housing and having the disengaged end of said charting strip wound thereon for storage, a feed roll rotatable in said housing having a portion of the charting strip between the guide and drum engaged with its periphery, and a jockey roller having a resilient rotatable mounting in said housing and normally projected toward said feed roll to retain said charting strip in peripheral engagement with said feed roll for feeding said charting strip into and out of said channel for varying the length of the exposed end portion therein when said feed roll is rotated.

16. A charting device, comprising an elongated guide having side channels, a flexible charting strip having one end portion engaged invsaid guide for lineal sliding movement therein, the side margins of said strip slidably engaging said side channels, the opposite end of said charting strip being disengaged from said guide at one end, a housing on the last-named end of said guide, storage means connected to the housing for the disengaged portion of said charting strip, a feed roll in said housing having its periphery engaged with one side of said charting strip be- 'tween said guide and storage means, a Jockey roller mounted in said housing and resiliently projected toward said feed roll to engage the other face of said charting strip and retain it in frictional engagement with said feed roll, and manually operable means for rotating said feed roll.

`17. A charting device, comprising an elongated guide having side channels, a plurality of charting strips, each having one end engaged in said guide with the side margins .thereof slidably engaged in said side channels. said strips being arranged one upon the other in said guide and being of flexible material for independent, lineal sliding movement in said guide` for charting cooperation, the opposite ends of said strips being disengaged from said guide at one end, a plurality of housings one for each, strip secured in aligned relation in said guide, storage means for each of the disengaged portions of said charting strips. a feed roll in each housing for engaging the strip therein, means in each housing retaining the strip therein engaged with the feed roll, and means for actuating each feed roll individually for independently moving each strip to display' varying lengths in said guide in charting cooperation.

18. A charting device, comprising an elongated l guide, a flexible charting strip having one end engaged in said guide for lineal sliding movement. the other end being disengaged from --said guide at one end, a housing secured to the lastnamed end of said guide and having the disengaged portion of said charting strip passing therethrough, a storage guide slidably receiving the disengaged end of said strip secured to said housing, a. feed roll engaging said strip in said housing, and means for retaining said strip engaged with the feed roll whereby operation of said feed roll moves said charting strip lineally in said elongated guide to vary the length of the end portion of said strip displayed therein.

19. A charting device, comprising an elongated guide, a housing having one side secured to one end of said guide, a storage guide secured to the opposite side of said housing in spaced parallel relation to the first mentioned guide, a flexible charting strip having opposite ends engaged in said guides for lineal sliding movement, a feed roll rotatable in said housing and conveying said strip between said guides, resiliently operated means retaining said charting strip engaged with said feed roll, and means for rotating said feed roll operable to lineally feed said strip back and forth between said guides for displaying varying lengths of said charting strip in said elongated guide.

20. A charting device, comprising a plurality of independent charting units, each unit comprising an elongated guide, a plurality of flexible charting strips having one end lineally slidable in said guide one upon the other independently, the other end of each strip being disengaged from said guide at one end, storage means for the disengaged ends of said charting strips scured to said guide, independent operating means for each strip carried at the last-named end of said guide and engaging the strip between the guide and storage means and operable to feed the strip past itself to vary the length of the strip, engaged in said guide to provide for variable charting cooperation between all of the strips in one unit, a supporting frame, a stationary index on one side of said frame, marginal retaining members detachably mounted on the sides of said frame adjacent said first-mentioned side. and each unit having the guide formed to have its ends detachably engage said frame and be detachably retained thereon by said marginal retaining members in side by side relation whereby the charting strips of all units on the supporting frame have charting cooperation with said stationary index.

ARTHUR. REX JACKSON. 

